Chen Xiao returned home directly this time.
It was already past ten in the evening in China, and the night was deep.
Chen Xiao pushed open the door to Shanhai Yihao. His mother was still sitting on the sofa watching a TV drama, a blanket covering her legs, completely engrossed.
Though it was a very ordinary scene, Chen Xiao found it exceptionally warm.
"Mom, I'm back," Chen Xiao said.
"Oh, my son is back! Have you eaten? Mom will cook for you!" Liu Zhen said, getting up from the sofa.
To Chen Xiao, it felt like he had been away from home for a long time. But to his mother, Chen Xiao had only been away on a business trip for a week, and she was already accustomed to it. It was good for young people to be busy. When her son was successful, his mother was happy.
"Mom, I've eaten. You don't need to bother," Chen Xiao quickly told his mother to sit down and then sat beside her.
"I'll watch TV with you for a while. I've been too busy lately and haven't had much time to spend with you," Chen Xiao said with emotion.
"It's good to be busy, it means you're successful. If you stayed home with me every day, I'd get bored too!" His mother pretended to be annoyed, but in reality, she didn't want her son to feel guilty.
The TV was showing some trivial programs, but the mother and son watched them with great interest, chatting intermittently and commenting on the show. During a commercial break, Chen Xiao suddenly said, "By the way, Mom, I have something to tell you."
"What is it? Tell me!" Chen Xiao said it casually, and Liu Zhen didn't pay much attention.
However, she didn't expect Chen Xiao to say, "Mom, I'm getting married."
"Married?!" Liu Zhen sat up abruptly. "With whom? When? How could you not tell me about such a big thing in advance?"
"I'm telling you now!" Chen Xiao was amused by his mother's reaction. "Who else would I marry but Li Ziqing? You've always approved of her!"
"Hehe, good, Ziqing is a good girl, Mom likes her!" Liu Zhen was overjoyed. "Son, marriage is a big event. I need to think carefully about how to prepare for you."
"You are successful now. Even if you don't have a grand wedding, you still need to invite the people you should. Also, we need to choose an auspicious date. This matter cannot be taken lightly, otherwise, you two might have minor conflicts later."
"And what about my future in-laws? I still haven't met them." The more Liu Zhen thought about it, the more things she considered, and the more preparations she felt were needed.
"No need, Mom," Chen Xiao smiled and shook his head. "You don't need to do all that."
"Don't need?" Liu Zhen was slightly taken aback, not understanding.
"Moreover, I plan to get married today." Chen Xiao's next sentence made Liu Zhen's mouth gape open, her face filled with disbelief.
"Son, tell me the truth. Am I dying? Why are you in such a hurry? No, even if I had a terminal illness, you wouldn't need to rush like this. You're not going to die tonight, are you?" Liu Zhen asked nervously.
Chen Xiao was once again rendered speechless by his mother's reaction. "Mom, what are you imagining? You're perfectly healthy. How could you suddenly have a terminal illness? The reason I'm in such a hurry is that I have a reason to do so."
"Son, what is it? Can you tell Mom? Don't make me worry unnecessarily." Liu Zhen pleaded, her eyes filled with worry and panic.
Seeing his mother like this, Chen Xiao paused. He wondered if he should tell his mother about the impending calamity. This matter was far more serious than his mother having a terminal illness.
Initially, Chen Xiao naturally thought it was unnecessary to tell his mother, as it would be a form of protection for her. But now, Chen Xiao suddenly changed his mind. He felt his mother had the right to know. Instead of letting her worry and speculate aimlessly, it was better to tell her the truth and face it together.
"Mom, I'll tell you, but don't panic or be scared," Chen Xiao said.
"Son, tell me. Mom can handle it," Liu Zhen said with a serious expression.
"Well, actually, it's like this..." Chen Xiao nodded and briefly explained the situation to his mother.
By the time Chen Xiao had only finished half of his explanation, Liu Zhen's gaze had become vacant, and she looked completely disbelieving. However, when she heard the end and learned the full truth, Liu Zhen believed Chen Xiao. Some of her past doubts were also answered.
"Son, you've suffered..." Liu Zhen caressed her son's face and said with heartache, "Mom didn't realize you've been through so much these past six months."
Chen Xiao smiled and shook his head. "Mom, I'm not suffering. Although I have endured some hardship, I have gained much more. Compared to that, the little suffering is nothing."
"But from now on, you will carry the safety of the entire world on your shoulders. That's too hard, you'll be crushed." Liu Zhen said with concern.
"I won't be crushed, and I will definitely win this battle for survival. Mom, do you believe me?" Chen Xiao asked earnestly.
"Silly child, of course, Mom believes you. When have I ever not believed you?" Liu Zhen said with teary eyes. "Don't worry about anything at home, I'll handle it. You just focus entirely on what you need to do."
"Hehe, thank you, Mom." Chen Xiao smiled happily, just like when he was in school. At that time, facing the college entrance examination, the pressure was immense. His mother told him, "Son, you just focus on studying and taking the exam. Everything else, Mom will take care of it. You don't need to worry!"
"Silly child, it's not you thanking Mom this time, it's Mom thanking you. Mom thanks you on behalf of this world!" At this moment, Liu Zhen could no longer hold back her tears and they began to flow.
"Mom, why are you crying? Today is my big day!" Chen Xiao pretended to put on a stern face.
"Yes, Mom won't cry. Today is your big day. Mom hasn't prepared anything for you, but since you're getting married, aren't you missing something?" Liu Zhen asked.
"Missing what?" Chen Xiao retorted.
"The bride!" Liu Zhen rolled her eyes at her son. This silly son, with the fate of the whole world resting on his shoulders, is it really okay?
"Haha, right, I forgot about that!" Chen Xiao slapped his forehead and burst into laughter. After laughing, he immediately called Li Ziqing.
"Hello, Ziqing, where are you? No matter how important your current matters are, please come home immediately and marry me!" Hearing Chen Xiao's words, which sounded like a joke, Li Ziqing on the other end of the phone froze, her entire being falling into a daze.